Switzerland Travel Guide >

Swiss Rail Improvements 2005 - Switzerland Train Travel Gets Faster and More Comfortable  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Germany Austria Switzerland > Switzerland Travel Guide > Swiss Rail Improvements 2005 - Switzerland Train Travel Gets Faster and More Comfortable Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Switzerland Fast Rail Travel: Swiss Tilting Train Photo provided by RailEurope Stay up to date! Switzerland Fast Rail Travel: Swiss Tilting Train Photo provided by RailEurope Email to a friend Print this page Switzerland Travel Resources Switzerland Travel Directory Switzerland Travel Map and Resources Swiss Rail Pass and Transportation Information Switzerland Rail Travel Resources Rail 2000 Information from Swiss Rail SSB Switzerland Rail Passes Swiss Rail SSB Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Switzerland Rail Travel - What's New in Swiss Trains and Timetables From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Aug 28 2005 Travel in Switzerland just got easier Switzerland's rail system is undergoing an expansion program called Rail 2000. What's in it for the traveler to Switzerland? Shorter travel times, more frequent service - including half-hourly departures between major cities - and greater comfort on a growing number of new and refurbished trains. You can get to Switzerland's major airports by train, and in 2005 it'll be easier and more convenient. In early morning on Swiss rail, some cars are designated "quiet cars" where even talking is prohibited--and it's enforced. Switzerland also offers some of the most innovative rail passes in Europe (see below). The New Timetables for Switzerland Trains Starting December 12, 90% of Switzerland's trains will run on a new timetable with half-hourly service between all major cities. To simplify travel planning, arrivals and departures will be on the hour and the half-hour in major hubs (such as Zurich, Basel, Bern). Shorter Travel Times on Swiss Rail The core infrastructure project of Rail 2000 responsible for reducing travel times is the recently completed 29 mile-long rail line between Bern and Olten. This line allows trains to travel at 100 mph and shaves 15 minutes off travel times between Bern-Zurich, Bern-Basel and Bern-Lucerne. When a new signaling system becomes operational, trains will run at 124 mph. The new line enables all travel times within the Bern-Basel-Zurich triangle to be less than one hour. Other Rail 2000 construction projects helping to reduce travel times are a new tunnel between Zurich and Thalwil and a new track between Geneva and Coppet, both already in service. The New Fleet of Trains 44 sleek tilting ICN trains traveling up to 15% faster than conventional trains and featuring a restaurant car and business class compartments, as well as 1st and 2nd class compartments; see the picture above. 340 double-decker Intercity trains, with 1st and 2nd class compartments and business seats, and on certain routes a child-friendly family car, bistro/bar on the lower deck and restaurant on the upper deck; 460 refurbished Intercity trains with 1st and 2nd class compartments Improved service to tourist destinations Most alpine tourist destinations will offer faster, more direct service to/from Zurich and Geneva and their airports: Interlaken - Half-hourly service to/from Zurich Airport (now hourly), 15 minutes shorter time. Zermatt and Saas Fee - Reach Zermatt up to 30 minutes faster from Zurich Airport. New direct service Zurich Airport-Brig every other hour means only one change (now two) to go to either resort. Lausanne, Montreux, Aigle, Martigny, Sion - Half-hourly service to/from Geneva Airport. Davos, St. Moritz, Arosa - Hourly non-stop trains Zurich-Landquart and better connections in Chur or Landquart make the trip to/from Zurich up to 25 minutes faster. Trains on these routes will also have more space for sports equipment and luggage than currently. Locarno - New direct train every hour from either Basel or Zurich. Switzerland Rail Passes There are quite a few options for the traveler these days. You can buy a Swiss Pass with different durations and savings, or you can buy combo passes that combine travel on Swiss Railways with other bordering countries (currently France and Austria). For information on Rail Passes in Switzerland on one handy page, see Rail Europe: Switzerland Rail Passes . Perhaps the most interesting of the services provided is the Fly Rail Baggage option. For $15 US you can check in your luggage at the airport, make your way to the train and pick up your luggage there. Imagine, you don't have to lug all your bags from your destination to the train station! For more on selecting a Swiss rail pass, see our Swiss Rail Pass and Switzerland Transportation Information .        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There

Central America Travel to

Panama, Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information  You are here: About > Travel > Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Panama Travel Go Mexico Essentials Packing List for Travelers to Mexico Health Information Mexico / C. America Safety Considerations Travel Books Mexico and Central America Tourism Offices Mexico/ Central America Articles & Resources Mexico Mexico City Acapulco, Mexico Cancun Yucatan Baja Los Cabos Puerto Vallarta Other Places Photos of Mexico Belize, Central America Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Mexico / Central America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Panama Panama, Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information A selection of online travel related resources to the country of Panama, Central America, with information on accommodations, attractions, history, culture, geography and more. Panama Travel Tourism Vacation Information for Visitors. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Eco Travels in Panama Learn about Panama's ecotourism opportunities. Includes information on bird-watching, tropical hikes and other attractions. Focus Panama - Panama City Panama City is one of Central America's most vibrant cities. This site provides a good description of Panama City and includes suggestions on what to do and see there. Panama - Consular Information Sheet This official U.S. State Department site provides useful travel advice and warnings for visitors to Panama. Also lists U.S. consulate addresses in Panama. Panama Canal Take a memorable cruise through the Panama Canal - the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Find out more information here. Panama Canal Zone Read an interesting account of a family's recent trip to the Panama canal. Some excellent photos are included on the site. Panama Travel Obtain some good general advice for touring in Panama. Also, get answers to frequently asked questions about Panama. Panama Visitors Info This site tells you what you need to bring with you on a trip to Panama. It also has maps of Panama and information on the people and climate. Recommendations on what to see in Panama and some safety tips are also offered. Travel Panama Panama is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. This site provides information on the history, environment and culture found in the San Blas Archipelago, Darien Jungle, Canal Zone, Pacific Lost Coast and the Bocas Archipelago areas.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico Headlines Top 6 Travel Books for Mexico and Central America There are many travel guidebooks devoted to Mexico and to... Health Information for Visitors to Mexico and Central America This article provides a summary of the more important health... Safety Considerations for Travelers to Mexico and Central America Travel to Mexico and Central America is not significantly less... Acapulco, Mexico Once a favorite destination of honeymooners, celebrities and the...

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP

Cheap Travel Credit Card

Cheap Travel Credit Card Scam  You are here: About > Computing & Technology > Antivirus Software Computing & Technology Antivirus Software Essentials Top Windows Antivirus Top Spyware Scanners Top Online Scanners Free Security Courses Hoax Encyclopedia Articles & Resources Antivirus Reviews Antivirus Vendors Free Antivirus Software Spyware and Adware Latest Viruses Email Hoaxes Internet Scams Security Tips What is a Virus? Types of Viruses Windows Tutorials Macintosh Viruses Linux & Unix Viruses Content Filtering Wireless Security Buyer's Guide Antivirus Software for Windows Security Books for Home Users Enterprise Security Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Antivirus Software newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Antivirus Software Cheap Travel Credit Card Scam Antivirus Software Blog « Windows Security: Still Patchy, With or Without SP2 | Main | Why Plain is Better » From Mary Landesman , Your Guide to Antivirus Software . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! April 06, 2005 Cheap Travel Credit Card Scam PandaLabs has issued an alert involving cheap travel sites that are really sites designed to steal your credit card info. Don't get taken by these scams - read the alert and familiarize yourself with the tactics used. Panda Software Warns Online Shoppers to be Careful - New Scam Designed to Steal Credit Card Information Several websites have been identified offering cheap airline tickets with the aim of stealing credit card details from users Even though these sites have been identified and disabled, it is likely that others will appear offering all kinds of products Panda Software advises users to purchase from trusted sites and avoid giveaway prices Glendale, CA - April 6 2005 - Panda Software is warning users about the appearance of a new kind of online fraud. During the last few hours, several websites have been detected that try to entice users with the offer of cheap flights. However the real aim of these web pages is not to sell anything, but to get users to enter their credit card details which will then fall into the hands of cyber-crooks. The scam starts when an unsuspecting user searches for airline ticket offers with an Internet search engine, such as Google. This takes them to an Internet address offering cheap flights. The site includes a form asking the user to enter personal details, including their credit card number, expiry date and verification value (CVV). Once these details have been entered, to prolong the illusion, an error page is displayed telling the user that the transaction has been unsuccessful, and offering instructions on how to pay for the ticket by postal money order. This, in fact, means that the user could actually fall victim to the fraud twice. Firstly, through sending the criminals details of a valid credit card, with which they can carry out all kinds of transactions (transfers, payments...) and then, in addition, they could lose the money if they were to send the requested amount by money order. Until now, the websites identified -which had been disabled by the authorities- offered airline tickets, but it is highly likely that there will be many others offering any other type of "bargain" with the same objective. According to Luis Corrons, director of PandaLabs, This kind of online fraud differs from those witnessed previously. The malicious user does not contact the person interested in buying the product, but it is actually the buyer, in searching for the best prices online, who goes to the fraudulent web page. This creates a false sense of security that can lead users to proceed with the transaction. To avoid this kind of fraud Users are best advised to treat "bargains" with suspicion, and only make online purchases from trusted sites. In any event, if in doubt, it is a good idea to search for information about the website in question on the Internet. Users should be able to find opinions and experiences of other users who have used the same service, adds Corrons. The authorities have been alerted to this kind of threat and IT security companies are collaborating to protect and inform users of the dangers of this new Internet fraud. Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Antivirus Software for Windows MSN Hacker List Hoax Encyclopedia: Virus hoaxes Spyware Scanners Online Scanners What's Hot News Briefs Christmas.exe IRS Tax Refund Phishing Internet Explorer settings Removing spyware Related Topics Internet / Network Security Wireless / Networking Focus on Windows Email Urban Legends and Folklore        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot News Briefs Christmas.exe IRS Tax Refund Phishing Internet Explorer settings Removing spyware Headlines WMF Image Handling Exploit Discovered A new Windows Metafile (.WMF image file) exploit has been... Life Is Beautiful, Hoaxes Are Not We're all pretty familiar with the phrase "Act in haste,... Half a Dozen New Bagles Mass seedings of Trojaned emails carrying Bagle downloaders have been... Critical Flaw in Symantec AntiVirus A RAR Archive Decompression Buffer Overflow in Symantec Antivirus products...

Air Travel

ebookers - Cheap Flights, Hotels, Airline Tickets, Car Hire & Holiday Packages Home Flights Hotels Car Hire Insurance Holidays Customer Services FAQs Book flights, hotels, cars, insurance and the best worldwide holidays online. Experience the mystique of the Arabian Nights and the grandeur of modern cities in the midst of sand dunes ... more Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi from £60.75 pp Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai from £139.5 pp Africa Asia Australia Canada Caribbean Europe Indian Ocean Middle East New Zealand USA Newsletter Sign-up Earn 200 Nectar Points My ebookers: Register | Sign In Earn Nectar Points Order Brochures Additional Services Introducing FREE interactive travel calendar with inspirational global events to the latest travel offers. click here Paris 2 nts from £162 Prague 3 nts from £172 Dubai 5 nts from £699 more romantic getaways To Flight from Hotel from Car from New York £249 £47 £22 Orlando £299 £14 £14 Los Angeles £299 £23 £16 Las Vegas £330 £17 £18 Sydney £799 £26 £21 Auckland £775 £23 £33 Bangkok £385 £10 Hong Kong £397 £22 Dubai £279 £20 £16 Johannesburg £445 £17 £18 Cape Town £499 £15 £18 Amsterdam £65 £27 £18 Paris £79 £24 £16 Bangkok 5 Nights from £429 Call : 0800 970 3106 New York City Break from £329 Call : 0800 970 3102 more deals INTERNATIONAL SITES: -- AT BE CH D DK ES F FIN IRL IT N NL S UK About Us | Jobs | Affiliates | Media Site | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Site Map With ebookers , get cheap flights , cheap hotel reservation and car hire. Discounts on offer on flights & hotels to New York, Bangkok, Sydney and other destinations in America, Asia and Australia. Flights from British Midland (BMI), British Airways (BA), KLM, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada. The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority, except when tickets for scheduled flights are sent to you within 24 hours of payment being accepted. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2562. Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more. We are also fully bonded with ABTA (our ABTA number is D0806), IATA and a member of PATA and ASTA.